Economy, jobs and prices in Chicago, Illinois: official figures
The median household income in Chicago was $77,902 a year in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey (in 2024 dollars), 380th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US median was $80,734 and the Illinois median $83,390.
What is the per capita income in Chicago?
Income per resident (per capita income) in Chicago averaged $50,086 a year in 2020-2024, 225th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $44,673; Illinois: $46,406).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in Chicago?
Chicago's Gini index of household income inequality was 0.523 in 2020-2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 maximum inequality), 44th most unequal of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US figure was 0.483.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Chicago, Illinois?
8.0% of the civilian labor force in Chicago was unemployed on average over 2020-2024 (121,431 people), 90th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US rate in the same survey was 5.2% and Illinois' 5.8%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Chicago have jobs?
1,395,899 residents of Chicago held civilian jobs, 62.1% of those aged 16 and over (US: 59.7%), and 921 served in the armed forces.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Chicago?
The largest industry group for working residents of Chicago was education, health care and social assistance (24.2% of employed residents), followed by professional, scientific, management and administrative services (18.2%) and arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (9.1%), 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Chicago work in manufacturing?
Manufacturing employed 7.7% of working residents of Chicago, 323rd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 9.9%); professional, scientific and management services employed 18.2% (US: 12.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow long is the commute in Chicago, Illinois?
Commuters in Chicago took 33.1 minutes on average to get to work in 2020-2024, 63rd longest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 26.4 minutes); 13.4% travelled an hour or more and 13.0% less than 15 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow do people in Chicago get to work?
21.0% of workers living in Chicago worked from home in 2020-2024, 182nd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 15.1%). 44.7% drove to work alone, 7.3% carpooled, 17.7% used public transport and 5.8% walked.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Chicago, Illinois?
The median gross rent (rent plus utilities) in Chicago was $1,440 a month in 2020-2024, 336th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $1,413; Illinois: $1,274).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does a house cost in Chicago?
Owner-occupied homes in Chicago had a median value of $334,100 in 2020-2024 as estimated by their owners, 322nd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $332,700; Illinois: $263,300).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in Chicago?
The median home value in Chicago was 4.3 times the median household income, 355th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 4.1 times).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Chicago have no internet?
6.9% of households in Chicago (79,786) had no internet access at home in 2020-2024, 204th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.5%); 12.5% relied on a cellular data plan alone (US: 11.5%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Chicago compares with other cities in the United States
Median household income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 444 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median household income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 441 | Cape Coral | $78,104 |
| 442 | Madison | $78,050 |
| 443 | Mableton | $77,980 |
| 444 | Chicago | $77,902 |
| 445 | Gresham | $77,795 |
| 446 | Sunrise | $77,652 |
| 447 | Gallatin | $77,518 |
Per capita income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 225 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Per capita income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 222 | Santa Fe | $50,299 |
| 223 | Henderson | $50,228 |
| 224 | Fullerton | $50,180 |
| 225 | Chicago | $50,086 |
| 226 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $50,005 |
| 227 | Midland | $49,879 |
| 228 | Boise City | $49,861 |
Gini index of household income inequality (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 44 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gini index of household income inequality |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Tuscaloosa | 0.525 |
| 42 | Galveston | 0.524 |
| 43 | Ann Arbor | 0.524 |
| 44 | Chicago | 0.523 |
| 45 | Peoria | 0.523 |
| 46 | Scottsdale | 0.523 |
| 47 | Memphis | 0.522 |
Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 90 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) |
|---|---|---|
| 87 | Pompano Beach | 8.0% |
| 88 | Chula Vista | 8.0% |
| 89 | Compton | 8.0% |
| 90 | Chicago | 8.0% |
| 91 | Rocky Mount | 8.0% |
| 92 | Warren | 8.0% |
| 93 | Hemet | 8.0% |
Labor force participation rate (16 and over) (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 287 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Labor force participation rate (16 and over) |
|---|---|---|
| 284 | Lowell | 67.6% |
| 285 | Springdale | 67.6% |
| 286 | Charleston | 67.6% |
| 287 | Chicago | 67.6% |
| 288 | Everett | 67.6% |
| 289 | Tigard | 67.6% |
| 290 | Southaven | 67.5% |
Mean travel time to work (minutes) (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 63 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Mean travel time to work (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Whittier | 33.2 |
| 61 | Union City | 33.1 |
| 62 | Chino | 33.1 |
| 63 | Chicago | 33.1 |
| 64 | West Covina | 32.9 |
| 65 | Pearland | 32.7 |
| 66 | Newark | 32.6 |
Workers who worked from home (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 182 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers who worked from home |
|---|---|---|
| 179 | Clermont | 21.2% |
| 180 | St. Petersburg | 21.1% |
| 181 | Yorba Linda | 21.1% |
| 182 | Chicago | 21.0% |
| 183 | Olathe | 20.9% |
| 184 | Torrance | 20.8% |
| 185 | Salt Lake City | 20.8% |
Workers commuting by public transportation (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 19 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers commuting by public transportation |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Malden | 18.8% |
| 17 | San Francisco | 18.7% |
| 18 | Cambridge | 18.0% |
| 19 | Chicago | 17.7% |
| 20 | Philadelphia | 16.7% |
| 21 | Quincy | 16.3% |
| 22 | Everett | 16.2% |
Employed residents working in manufacturing (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 501 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents working in manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| 498 | Euless | 7.7% |
| 499 | Arvada | 7.7% |
| 500 | Burien | 7.7% |
| 501 | Chicago | 7.7% |
| 502 | Colton | 7.7% |
| 503 | Skokie | 7.7% |
| 504 | Tyler | 7.6% |
Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 312 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 309 | Suffolk | 24.2% |
| 310 | Santa Fe | 24.2% |
| 311 | Virginia Beach | 24.2% |
| 312 | Chicago | 24.2% |
| 313 | Tempe | 24.1% |
| 314 | Greenwood | 24.1% |
| 315 | Santa Rosa | 24.1% |
Median gross rent per month (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 488 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median gross rent per month |
|---|---|---|
| 485 | O'Fallon | $1,443 |
| 486 | West Haven | $1,442 |
| 487 | East Orange | $1,441 |
| 488 | Chicago | $1,440 |
| 489 | Orland Park | $1,440 |
| 490 | Orem | $1,438 |
| 491 | Indio | $1,437 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 502 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 499 | Des Plaines | $335,600 |
| 500 | Idaho Falls | $335,500 |
| 501 | Kyle | $334,600 |
| 502 | Chicago | $334,100 |
| 503 | Cheyenne | $333,700 |
| 504 | Ankeny | $331,000 |
| 505 | Schaumburg | $330,400 |
Median home value as a multiple of median household income (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 466 of 820, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median home value as a multiple of median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 463 | North Port | 4.3x |
| 464 | Cary | 4.3x |
| 465 | Rock Hill | 4.3x |
| 466 | Chicago | 4.3x |
| 467 | Houston | 4.3x |
| 468 | St. Cloud | 4.3x |
| 469 | Ocala | 4.3x |
Occupied homes lived in by their owners (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 689 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Occupied homes lived in by their owners |
|---|---|---|
| 686 | Anaheim | 46.2% |
| 687 | Yonkers | 46.2% |
| 688 | La Crosse | 46.1% |
| 689 | Chicago | 46.0% |
| 690 | Madison | 46.0% |
| 691 | Montebello | 45.9% |
| 692 | Merced | 45.9% |
Households with a broadband subscription (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 667 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with a broadband subscription |
|---|---|---|
| 664 | Amarillo | 89.2% |
| 665 | Yakima | 89.2% |
| 666 | Cincinnati | 89.1% |
| 667 | Chicago | 89.1% |
| 668 | Philadelphia | 89.1% |
| 669 | Palm Coast | 89.1% |
| 670 | East Orange | 89.1% |
Households with no internet access (2020-2024)
Chicago ranks 204 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with no internet access |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | Oak Lawn | 6.9% |
| 202 | Davenport | 6.9% |
| 203 | Yuma | 6.9% |
| 204 | Chicago | 6.9% |
| 205 | Springfield | 6.9% |
| 206 | Bellflower | 6.9% |
| 207 | Warren | 6.8% |
More on Chicago: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08013: Aggregate Travel Time to Work (in Minutes) of Workers by Sex (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 6939fdfa046fd5bb829ec8da9549e66298cc740f6a3f5dd60e1920a08e3083fb), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5f94e7878b6a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B23025: Employment Status for the Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 264a5bd9367c5f58d9773fa4966fa94fe1e02f9c7106bc2ab39168d6de7c3e4a), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2630e6946370…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini Index of Income Inequality (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 338f7a1191eaaf3913913e78c36aaa9d82f2b5c8faaf889be2e597b28869205e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b8cf854b1f94…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C24030: Sex by Industry for the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 66a2799a71a5fc36f0e3bc22767fe5bdd8f96eb29e85b91311e990d35cc14114), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5d717c57e7e4…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19013: Median Household Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b25a176b0e6c339b6f3a2a0d3d8446bf06f5f080b4395993ec9a8313efb1c229), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d8a264807c6…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08301: Means of Transportation to Work (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 552b24c135b6e7c566910914a861cda6fc798ba0cd47801b1eb64295a128c2ee), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 eaf823006d53…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19301: Per Capita Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 9fc107e98fee7fa49bb8314560205569184fad65fb64b80adb5c5bdd83ccc409), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c1e725b26a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25064: Median Gross Rent (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b36e6dc1fcef36b8b307d31b37517b64c80d8b9c70d48c9b1894242860f42eb0), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b842a7ff825c…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25077: Median Value (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 89eb2153764a2330b23959d8bbc29b3a8f3016f087b990f2a8ea0d5096d9a816), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 22b59a3b1acb…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B28002: Presence and Types of Internet Subscriptions in Household (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 12446ff0691b8818f5908cdc398817361772c5b3078c506d0409adc9c841840b), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4b375b368bf9…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25003: Tenure (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 68e963e1ed60fcf6b0658579cefc6498b7a9eb780b9f3e87fd1b9775c4d4ac6c), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2983c28f47fa…)
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